Title: Only 16
Rating: PG13
A tad more romance than I usually do, but nothing
explicit... YUCK!
By: Azurite
Email: sailor_andromida@yahoo.com
Site: www.geocities.com/sailor_andromida/
Season/Version: Sailormoon R (as usual), American
Disclaimer: Sailormoon isn't mine. 'Nuff said.
Greetz: To Ryan and Cat, who were the first ones
to email me about "Generations", my first BtVS fic,
and my onee-chans, Sailor Peace and JLaLa, much love
to you both.
Other: Teen Parenting is not impossible nor rare. If you
or someone you know is or will be a teen parent, tell them
to tell someone else, be it friend, family, doctor or
prenatal care specialist. I'm only adding this note for two
reasons: 1)my health ed class just learned about this and
from what I've heard, it's not fun, easy or worth the... pleasure.
2)I like stories with some kind of moral, Sailormoon or not.
*************************************************************
Serena was shocked, to say the least. She had no clue
how it all started, but she had a vague idea of when she
started getting signs...
*FLASHBACK*
"Raye...uh, I'm not feeling so good..." Serena stumbled off
to the bathroom to throw up. This was NOT her day...
*END FLASHBACK*
As Serena walked slowly down the streets of Crossroads,
not really seeing anything in front of her, just wandering along
the sidewalk near the park, she remembered when she first felt
afraid... afraid that she was...
*FLASHBACK*
"Miss Tsukino, I think you should go see Dr. Cunningham
down the hall."
"Is...is something the matter with me?"
"No dear, not at all. You're...uh, just of that age." Serena
sort of understood what her physician was saying, and did as told.
"Well, you say you've been feeling sick... getting abnormal
cravings, maybe?"
"I'm always hungry." Serena smiled, blushing.
"Hmm. How old are you again, Miss Tsukino?"
"Only 16."
"Well, I'd like you to take this. It's a test."
"Test for what?" Serena asked, looking at the items in the
doctor's hands.
"A Pregnancy test. Were you ever raped, sexually assaulted,
or anything of that sort?"
"No...No...Never." Serena said, shocked.
"It's all right. This is standard testing for girls your age.
They usually become active around your age, and we like checking so
when and if something happens, they are prepared."
"Oh...okay." Serena walked off with the two items clutched
fearfully in her hand.
When she came back fifteen minutes later, it was after some
lengthy reassurance that this test was standard, nothing more.
'Standard, not special. Just standard.'
"Okay, I can call you or you can come here for the results."
Serena briefly thought of having the doctor call, but what if her
dad -or worse- her brother answered the phone?! Even if the results
were negative...
*"Serena, the test results came back... you're not pregnant!"*
Serena found herself sweatdropping in embarassment as she nodded.
"Yes to what?" The doctor smiled.
"Um, I'll come in."
"One week, at say, 4:00PM?"
"Okay." Serena nodded and took her stuff from the table and left.
*END FLASHBACK*
Now it was one week later, and Serena had gotten the results back.
'I'm going to be a mom.' Serena repeated in her head.
'But...' There, her train of thoughts ceased, careening into a pit
of 'What-If's', 'Oh-No's' and other similar worries.
Across the street, Darien noticed Serena walking so haphazardly, and wondered if something was wrong. He was very tempted to go over there and ask her if she was all right, but...
'No, you can't. Remember, she's in danger because *of you.*'
************************************************************************
When Serena finally got to the temple that evening, the girls
were already crowded around Raye's bedroom table,
discussing... something. Serena couldn't make out the words properly,
she was too overwhelmed.
It was Mina who finally noticed Serena at the door.
"Serena! Hey girl, are you okay?" Mina had known Serena had had
a doctor's appointment that day, and had been one of the most worried
when they discovered she wasn't at home, and didn't answer the
communicator.
"Serena? Snap out of it!" Lita said, shaking the girl.
"Yeah, tell us where in the name of Mars have you been?!" Rei
asked, upset that her best friend had gone AWOL on them.
"I...I..." Serena stuttered, trying to find her voice.
"Um... Serena, what's wrong?" Mina repeated.
"I...I..." Serena stuttered again.
"Maybe we should let her be guys, she looks kinda sick." Amy
remarked. The other girls nodded solemnly, but Raye and Mina kept
on casting worried glances at their friend.
'I can't tell them. They'll think I'm crazy, or not fit to
fight... and what about Dad... and Mom? I don't even know who
the father is, how can I tell them?' Serena's fears went unchecked,
and she found herself crying softly.
"Serena?"
"Serena?" Several worried voices infiltrated her thoughts,
breaking into the cries of anguish and worry.
"Hmm? Oh, I'm so sorry guys... I just spaced out, you know,
girl problems... um, oh gee, look at the time, I better go! BYE!"
Serena grabbed her bag and shot out the temple.
*****************************************************************
The next afternoon, a Sunday, Serena had thought her situation
over... somewhat.
'I can't tell anyone... YET. I mean, I don't know anything,
so how can I answer their questions. I'll have to... to get a job,
and study harder so I don't drop out, and get a test, so I know
who the father is...' Serena walked into the arcade, prepared to
carry out Part One of her plan.
"Hey Andrew!" Serena greeted with as much enthusiasm as she could
muster. It didn't work, because Andrew saw her forced smile.
"Hey Serena. How's it been, you've been gone a couple of days."
"Oh yeah... flu bug." Serena lied. She winced inwardly.
'He'll probably be the first to know, if this works well.'
"Too bad. You're feeling better, right?" Andrew asked,
smiling despite the fact he knew Serena must be lying.
"Oh yeah. In fact, I wanted to ask you something."
"Yeah, shoot."
"Well, um... see um... you need help with the arcade,
right?" Serena asked, motioning to the help wanted sign in
the window. Lizzy had gotten accepted to a Private School,
and so couldn't work afterschool as often as she had thought.
Serena, of course, had heard this straight from Lizzy only two
weeks back, and the *little problem* she was having now, and all
the questions she asked herself only reminded her of the need for
money.
"Yeah. You offering?" Andrew asked, smiling genuinely.
"Yeah. I'm in the need for money, and well, my parents
aren't exactly teller machines, ya know?" Andrew laughed heartily.
"Well, all I'll need is for you to fill this out, and seeing
as you're 16, you don't need parent's permission. I already know
you like a little sister, so interviewing you isn't all that
necesssary. You know, you're so skilled with all the games, if
my dad weren't the owner of this place, you'd probably buy me out!"
In response, Serena laughed mirthily, and took the paper,
quickly filling it out with the dark pink pen she always carried
with her.
"You're hired." Andrew smiled, looking over the information
when Serena had finished and handed him the paper.
She shook his hand gratefully, tears almost flowing from
her eyes.
"Thank you so much, Andrew. You don't know how much this means
to me!" Serena let a few tears fall as she hugged her long-time
friend, and skipped from the arcade, not tripping once, or even
playing a game.
**************************************************************
**SERENA'S DREAM**
Endymion nervously approached his princess's room. This was
it...
"Come in!" Her angelic voice responded to his knock.
"ENDY!" Serenity squealed happily upon his entrance.
He looked so handsome... as usual... but there was something
mischieveous behind those midnight eyes of his...
"Sere." Endymion greeted, drawing her into his embrace,
kissing her delicately.
"Umm..." Serenity opened her mouth slightly, but Endymion
stopped before the kiss could get any deeper and... *ahem* out of
control.
"Endy, what's wrong?"
"Serenity..." Serenity gasped slightly; Endymion never used her
full name unless something really WAS wrong...
'But the look in his eyes... his smile... oh dear...'
"Serenity, I want to ask you something."
'Oh no... is he going to ask if I'll let him see other girls?
Oh heavens, what made me think he loved *me* ?! I'm just the little
blonde, weak princess... with an entire kingdom and the universal
power at my fingertips... what if he only wants me for power?!'
"Yes, Endymion?" Serenity pronounced softly, not giving
away her true emotions.
"Serenity, I...I..." Serenity found herself smiling, no matter
what was going to happen next. Endymion never was good with words,
not since his family and died many years ago in an attack.
But after he had met Serenity, he had changed, according to
his personal guards.
"He had never been like this! I mean, he's usually so cold and
callous to girls, especially Princesses, but YOU!" Serenity remembered
Jadeite saying to her.
"Yes, he was always so close-minded, and never romantic, like
he is now." Malachite had added.
"Now, every time he comes back from the Moon, he's mopey because
he's not around you, or smirking because he's planning something new to
do or buy you, or ramble to you..." Zoisite added cheerfully.
Serenity smiled. He really *did* care about her, didn't he?
"Serenity, I..." Endymion suddenly fell silent and dropped
to one knee before the Princess on her bed.
"Will you marry me?" Endymion asked simply. Serenity arose from
her stupor and looked at him. His midnight eyes were actually wavering
with tears, some unreadable expression covering his skin and lips.
"Oh my... Endy..." Serenity gasped even louder when he brought
out the gorgeous ring. It was simple, something that both he and
Serenity liked.
"Oh, I really don't like gawdy, showy stuff. It makes the owner
look like they've got an ego bigger than the moon!"
A simple pair of bands, one silver and one gold, held
a medium-sized diamond. Two tendrils of gold and silver met at
the diamond, and curled to hold a pearl in one, a ruby in the other.
Tiny crescent moons and Earth sigils were engraved on the two bands,
and where they met, they meshed into a single symbol: a circle
containing a crescent moon and a cross covering it.
"Serenity, please, make me the happiest man alive, and
marry me. I love you." Endymion whispered.
"Endymion." Serenity breathed, taking his hand in her own.
When they stood, Endymion still held her small hand in his own
expecting an answer...
'What if she says no, and wants to break up... because she's
found a better prince, someone who can offer her more...'
"YES, YES, a million times YES in a moon minute !!!" Serenity
squealed, leaping into his arms. Stunned, Endymion hardly moved, the
words melting into his brain long after she had said them.
'She...she said yes!'
"Endy?" Serenity asked worriedly. No response.
"En-" Serenity was cut off this time by the warmth of
Endymion's mouth on her own, kissing her passionately.
"Umm..." Serenity found herself groaning slightly.
Breathing deeply, they both pulled away from each other's lips,
still in each other's arms.
"Sere, I love you."
"Oh Endy, I love you too, now and forever." Serenity smiled
back, tears rimming her eyes. Endymion slid the simple ring on
the appropriate finger, while small tears tracked their way
down Serenity's face. He brushed them away with his fingertip,
and kissed any following ones away gently.
The short kisses became deeper, with Endymion's lips traveling
across her face and down her neck. Within seconds, the two lovers
had collapsed onto her bed and were kissing passionately.
Some minutes later, they were making love to each other,
expressing their love in the purest way possible.
**END DREAM**
**********************************************************************
Serena woke up from the intense dream, sweating and breathing
heavily.
'Did we...' Serena thought when her senses were restored.
It sure would explain a lot... okay, maybe nothing at all, but it
was the first conculsion Serena jumped to when she put *that* and
the fact that she was pregnant...
'But that was then, and this is now. And Darien and I never...'
Some small part of her wished that her dream really HAD happened,
just as an excuse that she could be with him again.
'And if it's not real? Something happened to you, and now...
he doesn't even want to be friends, you can't tell him... then there
would be NO hope at all for either of you!'
Serena shook her head resloutely, determined not to tell ANYONE
until the time was right, and went back to sleep.
*******************************************************************
//About two months later//
Serena was beginning to show more signs of pregnancy, and
as her doctor had put it, in the first "trimester", she would...
swell up.
'Great. So much for tight fitting clothes. Say hello to
baggy sweatpants and sweaters!'
Serena had not only gotten enough money to buy herself a
maternity wardrobe, but rent herself her own apartment!
It had taken some doing, but after a lengthy search and
an advance payment thanks to Andrew, Serena was now living on
her own, in a not-too-shabby disctrict of Azabu, only a few
blocks from the park, the arcade, the mall... any place she wanted
to go to was within an one mile radius of her apartment.
In all those two months, the hardest things she had done
included saying goodbye to her parents, who had somewhat reluctantly
let her go, and explaining to Andrew WHY she needed the advance
paycheck... though he still didn't know about her being pregnant...
*FLASHBACK*
"So, what's going on Serena? Why'd you need to talk to me?"
Andrew asked, casually taking off his apron now that it was after
hours. Serena settled in a booth, nervously playing with her fingers.
"Um, see, I'm kind of in need... of... um..."
"Go on, Serena, you can tell me."
"IneedanadvancepaymentcuzI'mgettingmyownapartment." Serena
blabbered at a furious speed.
"You what?" Andrew asked in what Serena took for disbelief.
'Oh no... I haven't been doing a good enough job... and he
doesn't think I deserve an advance payment, let alone a raise...'
Serena's face simply went pale as her head collapsed into
her arms, and she let quiet sobs wrack her body. No one knew, not
yet, and she had hoped Andrew would be the first, the understanding
one... but now, it didn't even seem as if she could make it through
her plan at all.
"Serena... oh please, don't cry... I didn't understand what you
said- you said it so fast." Andrew explained, hating seeing her in
tears. The only other time she had been like this was when Darien
broke up with her, and although neither of them had mentioned it
since then, Andrew could see it in both their eyes- they still loved
each other very deeply.
'Funny how Darien comes in here so often and never notices her
working here... or her friends either...' Andrew mused.
"Oh...I..." Serena stuttered in embarassment, lifting her golden
head from her folded arms.
"Yeah?" Andrew prompted.
"Um, I sort of need an advance paycheck because I'm moving out
of my old house and into a new apartment...I need some money for the
first month's rent." Serena explained.
"Wow. On your own... I mean, sure, yeah. In fact, take a raise
too, you've been doing such a great job. Business has almost tripled
thanks to your curry added on the menu, and all your help with
everyone!" Andrew added. Serena blushed profusely and then nodded,
tears in her eyes again.
"Thank you so much Andrew!" Serena cried, launching herself
across the table and into Andrew's arms for a hug.
"Sure I do. You're like my sister. And Lizzy sure treats you like
it. She's so grateful this place has a girl running it most of the time;
it gets a mess when it's only me." Serena laughed for the first time
in several weeks, and then overjoyously, skipped home.
*END FLASHBACK*
Serena turned the key in the lock and settled on her couch after
closing the door. She had just come back from working at the arcade, and
was still marveling about the fact that she lived alone. This place was great. Only a month in, and already, she had made friends with her neighbor, discussed payment with her nice landlord, an old woman named Ms. Butterscotch, and gotten acquainted with her surroundings.
From her old house, she had her dresser set, all her clothes,
and of course, all her jewelry, Sailor V posters and games, her hair
clips, dresses...
'But no Luna.' Luna had been shocked when Serena announced to
the girls that she was moving out of her old house, and in the
end, had had the option to come with her, but had politely turned it
down, perhaps knowing that however Serena could afford herself
an apartment, it didn't mean the place would allow cats, or that
Serena could afford *her*.
It was kind of lonely, and rather quiet, especially when
the girls weren't there for sleepovers. But since the lull in
attacks occured after the destruction of the Grim Man... there had
been no attacks, no reason for Scout meetings, and thus, hardly
any time to hang out.
Serena knew they were all friends for reasons beyond being
scouts together, and they weren't just her friends because they
had to protect her in the guise of the princess. After all, she was
friends with them all long before they became scouts.
'And as friends shouldn't they know?' Serena asked herself,
patting her slightly swollen stomach.
Serena reached for her phone to call the girls, and then
hesitated. Wouldn't the best way to get their attention be
to use the communicators? She pulled the small watch-like object
from its place in her purse, and was about to push the star shaped
button when something beeped.
BEEP BEEP
Serena pressed the buttons and heard a garbled voice and
some heavy static.
"Scouts...attack... main...park...Rini..." Serena could
barely make out Sailor Mercury's voice, but the the main words:
Rini and attack, caught her attention in a net.
Serena didn't even respond, just headed to the area where
her insticts... and that bright violet and golden light... told
her to go.
****************************************************************
Serena immediately transformed, and noticed the scout outfit
did nothing for her 'current situation'. Only the visually adept
would notice.
'PLEASE don't let Amy use her VR Visor today...PLEASE...' Serena
prayed, completing the transformation.
She arrived on the scene in time to see Rini's light show die
down, and an evil droid take its arm away from its eyes, now that
the bright light had died down considerably. The thing was about
to attack Rini again when Sailor Moon interfered.
"Hey you! I won't let you attack innocent children, because
in the name of the moon, I will punish you!" Sailor Moon completed
her pose, and was sure to look for Mercury. She was no where to be
found.
"Sailor Moon!" Rini cried, attaching herself to Sailor Moon's
leg. Sailor Moon patted her pink head in reassurance, hoping to calm
the frightened girl down.
'Don't look up, don't look up...' Sailor Moon prayed. It was more
than likely Rini wouldn't care what she looked like, and if she did, it
would come out in the form of an insult, but Serena didn't know.
'What if in Rini's time, children are given sex ed as early as
four?' Sailor Moon pried Rini off her leg and kneeled down beside her,
in order to make her stomach 'invisible'.
"Rini, where's Amy?" Rini burst into tears suddenly, and Sailor
Moon was presented with an angry droid, a frightened girl... and she
was all alone.
"MUAWWAWWRR!!!" The female-looking droid yelled obscurely. This
was the first droid that didn't talk animatedly.
"Sailor Moon-watch out for that droid's camera! It takes pictures
of people and makes them disappear!" Rini cried from behind Sailor
Moon's defensive position.
Something about that phrase stuck Serena as familiar and she
suddenly knew why.
'One of Nephrite's youma was like that... and in order to
reflect the attack, I needed a mirror.' Sailor Moon, on instict,
grabbed her brooch tightly and sent Rini to a safe haven behind some
bushes.
"All right Negasleze, show me what you've got!"
"MUAAWRRRRR!!" Was the response as the droid charged, attempting
a head butt. Sailor Moon slid out of the way, and the droid was stuck,
horns and all, in a tree. Its head was covered in fur and leaves,
and so it couldn't see. It launched an attack at Sailor Moon with its
free hand, which Sailor Moon reflected with the mirror in her brooch.
The fur and leaves flew, and the droid was weak enough to be
dusted. But Amy!
Walking up to the droid and holding it fiercely by the horns,
she demanded it tell her where Sailor Mercury was.
"MWaawwwR!" Was the weakened response. Groaning, Sailor Moon
threw her arms up in the air. This was the chance the droid needed.
It wedged its horns from the tree trunk and charged, capturing Sailor
Moon in its grip.
Sailor Moon struggled hopelessly, kicking and punching
the droid. She landed one hit on its soldier, but it didn't seem
to do anything for her release.
Little did she know that Sailor Mercury was released, for
its weak spot was where she had hit it. The droid hadn't reacted
much, for it was already weak, and it was too focused on its prey to
think of the other pretty soldier.
*********************************************************************
Sailor Mercury awoke somewhat groggily, just barely remembering
her call to the scouts... a loud thump, and the salty taste in her
mouth. There was a bright flash, and then she went black.
Now she was lying on the soft, freshly cut grass of the park,
and she heard noises.
"UNNGH! Let me go, Negatrash!" It was Sailor Moon, and from
what Mercury could make out, the other scouts hadn't arrived yet.
Thinking perhaps her vision would clear once she activated her visor,
she did so. Her vision was no longer blurred, as her deep blue eyes
could make out the rapidly flashing scans of the droid and Sailor
Moon.
Getting up and opening her pocket computer, Sailor Mercury scanned
the droid again to find out what happened. Suddenly, she heard a soft
beeping in her ear, where the microphone to the computer
was connected. Looking at her findings, Mercury stared.
"Three lifeforms?" She breathed. She looked up, deactivated her
visor, and still only saw Sailor Moon and the droid. Her computer
beeped again, and Mercury's heart lodged in her throat.
'She's... she's...' Sailor Mercury's mind stuttered.
"SAILOR MOON!" Mercury screamed, terrified about what would
happen to her best friend, her leader... and her child, if the
droid succeeded. The droid turned in surprise, allowing Sailor Moon
the chance to knee it and squirm free. Mercury launched her Aqua
Illusion attack, freezing the creature long enough for Sailor Moon
to destroy it.
Sailor Moon collapsed, the amount of energy almost
tripling than it normally did.
"SAILOR MOON!"
"Mercury, what happened? Are you all right?" Jupiter yelled,
just arriving.
"Yeah, everything's fine." Mercury found herself saying.
"Is she okay?" Venus asked. Mercury didn't tell them how
Sailor Moon had been so completely drained, that because she was
supporting another life inside of her, every time she transformed,
attacked and was attacked, it drained her immensely.
"She'll be soon. Let's get her to some place warm." Mercury said,
noting the cool breeze blowing through the park.
"Ungh..." Mars limped onto the scene, prompting Mercury to ask
what had happened.
"We got attacked by another droid on the way here; that's why
we're late. Both mine and Venus' arms got beaten, and Mars here is
on a sprained ankle." Jupiter informed her.
"Oh dear, how are we supposed to get her anywhere?" Mercury asked,
motioning to their leader. The girls shook their heads in response, not
knowing what to do.
"I'll help." A distinctly male voice announced. The four scouts
turned in surprise, and were faced with Tuxedo Mask. He immediately
went over to Sailor Moon, and picked her up. Jupiter and Venus tried to
help, but their arms were too sore to keep lifting. As Mars couldn't
walk very well in the first place, Mercury helped her as she led the
way.
The foursome detransformed, leaving only Tuxedo Mask and Sailor
Moon transformed. The four girls hurriedly rushed the tall man holding
his beloved into the lobby of the apartment complex that was Serena's
home, hoping they would go unseen.
When they finally reached the elevator at the end of the hall,
Tuxedo Mask broke the silence.
"Why are we here?"
"We're bringing Serena home, of course." Raye responded simply.
Then she flushed scarlet, remembering that Darien didn't know she
had moved.
But Darien didn't say anything, he only looked puzzled.
When the elevator chimed to say it had reached the floor Serena
lived on, the girls rushed out.
They reached a door marked 'Serena Tsukino-630' and stopped.
Raye reached under a carpet that said 'Welcome' and pulled out a
key. After manipulating the lock for a few minutes, she got it to open,
and stumbled onto the white leather recliner Serena had in the main
room. The other girls followed suit, with Mina and Lita going to
the bathroom to tend to their arm wounds.
Tuxedo Mask took off his mask and hat, and lay Sailor Moon
on the black leather couch beside the recliner. Amy started to
scan her, hoping Darien didn't notice anything...
Tuxedo Mask looked around in surprise. This was defintely
Serena's own apartment; her photos of her and her friends,
posters of Sailor V and bouquet after bouquet of red roses
decked the walls and endtables.
But since when had she had her own apartment? It was a nice
place, to say the least. Neater than Darien would have expected from
Hurricane Serena, but still characteristic of her style. Contrasting
black and white leather, a checkered kitchen floor with black fridge
and white countertops, a cream colored carpet and curtains leading out
to the balcony, white walls and doors and several glass cabinets to
house her television, small figurines and books.
There were a few doors: one which he assumed led to the bedroom,
one for the bathroom, and two more.
"Serena lets us stay here sometimes, because she's got two
guest bedrooms, and the recliner and the couch fold out." Amy
explained, seeing his inquiring glance.
However, how in the name of Mercury she afforded this condo-like
residence was beyond her.
"I think we better stay here tonight." Raye said from the
recliner. Amy agreed wordlessly, and the other two girls emerging
from the bathroom voiced their opinions.
"Yeah, she might get drained again or something, so we should
keep watch."
"Everyone's room?" Mina asked. Mina and Amy each had their own
room, while Rei preferred to sleep on the folding recliner by the
fireplace and Lita on the long couch-bed.
"Yeah." Amy wanted to stay out in the living room, make sure
that no one disturbed or found out about Serena's obviously private
secret. ESPECIALLY DARIEN.
"Uh, Darien, why don't you help carry Serena into her bedroom,
and I'll stay in there, make sure she's okay. You can have my room."
"All right." Darien gently hoisted Serena into his arms, the
girl sleeping so softly and peacefully, one might think she was
having a pleasant dream...
*******************************************************************
*SERENA'S DREAM*
It was happening all over again, only this time more intense.
She had flashes of when she and Endymion first met, first snuck
past guards late at night to see each other, their first kiss...
and then, the first time they made love. It was actually the only
time, because if Memory and Dreams were serving Serena correctly,
a mere three weeks passed between that date and the day of destruction.
Apparently, when Endymion announced his engagement to the
Princess, his kingdom was thrown into an uproar: their prince, marrying
a Lunarian? Or, "Our Prince, marrying so soon, when he has a kingdom to
rule?!" or "Of course, a *Princess*. No, our duchess was too low for
him!". It was all stuff and rubbish of course, but there was only one
true jealous person. Beryl. She had been a loyal member of the Earth's
court for many years, and her parents before that. But Beryl turned to
the Dark Magick, and tampered with it even more dangerously when she
found out "her beloved Prince" was engaged to a Princess... a Lunarian
no less!
And that year, when the sun's heavy activity released the great
energy needed to spawn the evil known as Metallia, Beryl conjured her,
and allowed her to feed on the doubts of humankind. Each human had
doubts, and Metallia fed upon them, changing all people to the ways
of Darkness. Even Endymion's guards.
"Serenity, the situation is getting worse on Earth...I'm afraid
I can't make it for your birthday..." Endymion had told her over
communications. Serenity sighed, knowing this day would come. She had
no right to be disappointed, the Earth people hated her, and never
wanted this marriage to be, so they fought with each other over it
until the Crown Prince was forced to stay on Earth, and resume his
duty as ruler.
But Endymion *did* make it that day, despite the fights. They
shared such a lovely time, but something nagged Serenity.
'I should tell Endymion the wonderful news... but something's
wrong. Something isn't right...' Serenity mused. There was that
bad feeling in the pit of her stomach, which was slightly swollen
and growing with child.
"Endy, I need to tell you something."
*END DREAM*
**********************************************************************
Serena still slept peacefully, though her dream had come to
a rather broken end. Darien deposited her in her bedroom, taking note
of everything present. A few books piled on an endtable with a
decorative lamp adorning the tabletop, a small bunny-shaped clock on her
desk and another on her endtable, shaped like a bird of some sort,
various pictures of Serena and the girls, one of Serena, Andrew and
Lizzy and another of her and Darien. The frame was cracked in the
far right corner... strange...
'This is so... un-Serena-like.' Darien thought absently.
'But then, you haven't really seen her, been with her, known
how she's felt these past few months.' It was now January, five months
since he had broken up with her...
Darien shoved the feelings aside and walked out of her room,
leaving a perplexed Amy staring after him and his formerly sad gaze.
'He *does* still love her...' Amy thought, unfolding the spare
futon Serena kept in her closet. She picked up one of Serena's books
on parenting, and settled down into the futon-chair to read.
***********************************************************************
*SERENA'S DREAM*
The perfect moment...
Serena, swathed in delicate white silk, made her way slowly down
the aisle of the church.
'Heel, Toe, Heel, Toe...' Serena breathed to herself. It was
what seemed like hours later when she arrived at the altar.
She was rather impatient, but for Darien, she could wait. She smiled
as she thought how his eyes had nearly fallen out of his sockets on
her arrival at the altar.
'I guess he likes my dress.' It was white, of course, with a
tight fitting bodice that accented her curves nicely. Curled lace
spiraled over her chest and to her shoulders, lightly covered with
small cap sleeves. Her arms were bare until her elbows, where
scrunched fabric (much like her scout gloves) gathered and collected
in a mass of silk to form gloves. The dress slimmed to her hips,
then flared outward in a cascade of white.
"You may now kiss the bride." The priest spoke, after what seemed
like an hour and only two sentences from the both of them.
Darien lifted the tulle veil and gulped lightly. Serena smiled,
a faint hue of rosy pink tinting her cheeks. Darien gathered her into
his arms and kissed her with all the passion he could muster.
Cheers were heard from the crowd of bridesmaids in the corner, and
loud sobs from Serena's mother. After an eternity, they broke apart,
and laughing, ran down the aisle.
Rice was thrown from every corner of the church, and bottles of
champangne were popped and dribbled onto the floor.
"What a lucky girl." Some girl commented.
'How right she is. I am the luckiest girl alive.'
Just as they were out of the church, the ground shook violently.
"Darien?" She looked at him, gripping his arm. He had a
strange expression on his face, one that was calm and eerily
dark at the same time. He was holding onto her hand as if letting
go would make her fall into... into the chasm forming beneath
their feet!
"Darien!" Serena yelled as the temors became worse, and screams
ensued as the earth crumbled around them. The ground between
Darien and Serena split into two, and Serena yelled.
"DAAAAARRRRRRRIIIIIEEEEEEEENNNN!!!" Her bouquet was lost
in the rubble as she floated away into the light.
"SEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRREEEENNNNNNAA!!!" Darien yelled, terrified.
She was... gone... vanished from sight.
"Stay away from Princess Serenity..."
"I WON'T!" Darien responded to the mysterious voice.
"You must, the very future lies in the balance."
"NO!"
"She will die..."
"SERENA!" Darien gasped, his face pale. Though he couldn't
see her, she was still there... but he didn't know. It seemed as
if their link was broken... he couldn't feel her, sense her, see her
or anything...
'No, Darien...' Serena thought from her place in Limbo...
"You must stay away from her or she will die..."
*END DREAM*
************************************************************************
"NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Serena awoke with a start,
screaming. Amy was immediately jolted out of her sleep, and the
book tumbled to the floor under the bed.
"What? What? Serena, are you all right?" Serena's face was
ashen, her eyes dark and hazy. She was still panting heavily,
and was covered in a light sheen of sweat.
"Amy? Serena? We heard screaming, what...?" Lita and Mina asked,
pushing the door open.
"SERENA!" Raye yelled, pouncing over them into the room and
to the bedside.
"Serena?" Darien was there as well, looking rather pale himself,
but not as haggard as the other girls, who had been awoken from their
sleep. In truth, he had had the dream again, and had stayed awake
contemplating whether he was insane or simply in love.
Panting, Serena glanced towards the door, and that was when he
saw how frightened she looked. She was almost as ashen as he had been
the first time he had had the dream... and that thought made him wonder.
The three girls in the corner of the room closest to the door
turned abruptly when a *CRACK* sounded.
Serena also turned, as she was wiping the sheen of liquid from her
brow.
Her face went ashen again, when she saw *their* picture...
cracked. Darien slumped over her knees.
"Darien..." Serena breathed. Darien heard this, and followed
her glance to the picture. It *had* happened to her... He kneeled
beside her and saw the picture... which, as it had to him, appeared
normal.
"Oh Darien!" Serena cried, tossing the picture onto the table
and reaching for him. He hugged her delicately, not knowing her swollen
stomach was pressed against him. Amy, however, did notice, and lightly
tapped on her back.
"Ssh, Serena, it's okay..." Darien was whispering, holding and
rocking her like a small child.
"Serena." Amy stated quietly, her eyes shifting to the books on
the endtable, which went unnoticed by everyone else, and Serena's own
stomach.
With a shock, Serena realized, she was not only at home, but all
the girls were here... which meant that after she had drained the droid,
she had passed out, and then the girls had arrived. Mina and Lita were
holding their arms, and Raye was in a make-shift cast on her ankle.
So there had been another attack, and that was why they hadn't
been there. But Mercury had gotten freed somehow, and apparently *knew*,
so Serena released Darien, absorbing all the information...
Flashes of her past dreams, intesntly blinding her vision, and
the reminder of her current physical state caused Serena to lapse into
understanding and abrupt silence. To the girls' questioning gazes, she
said nothing.
"Let's go back to sleep guys, we all have a meeting to attend
tomorrow." Amy covered. The other three girls nodded in agreement, and,
yawning, retired to their beds. Only Darien remained.
"Darien, if you don't mind, I think we'd both like to get
some sleep." Amy stated somewhat coldly. She wasn't too sure of
anything, but if Serena was pregnant, as her computer had said,
then he was the only logical... and possible... father.
"Serena, what happened?" Darien asked, completely ignoring
Amy. He couldn't help it; he wanted to know what she saw that made
her so frightened and then cause her to push away.
Looking at him briefly, Serena gave him a shifted glance and then
flopped back into her bed completely.
"Nothing, just... just go to sleep." Serena turned on her side and
feigned sleep until he left.
***********************************************************************
"Serena." Amy stated quietly when a good fifteen minutes had
passed. Serena made no move, but did speak.
"How did you know?"
"I...I scanned you with my computer when I 'woke up'. I...I
read three lifeforms, and scanned my way from there."
"And?"
"Serena." Amy understood that Serena didn't want to say it, didn't
want to admit it... so she would have to.
"And you are three months pregnant with a heathy baby." Amy
stated, careful that her words were quiet.
But unfortunately, not quiet enough.
************************************************************************
"And?" Raye heard as she approached the door. It was Serena's
voice all right, so she was awake. Raye wanted to make sure she
was all right. There was a pause, and Raye realized that Amy and
Serena must be talking.
'It isn't right to eavesdrop...' Raye wandered into the kitchen
nearby, and still managed to hear Amy's response.
"And you are three months pregnant with a heathy baby."
Raye immediately dropped the glass she was holding, and fainted.
************************************************************************
-End of Part One
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